Here’s someone who finds an extraordinary purpose in what we consider as ordinary trash. Jagadish C has a discerning eye to visualize endless possibilities in fallen leaves on pavements, vegetable peels discarded in kitchen or other nondescript scrap gathering dust in drawers. Once he lays his inventive hands on any of these, the next you know is a piece of incredible craft emerging from his Arali Kale, Jaggusays Creative Works. An exclusive feature by Vibezeen magazine.
For most passers-by on the streets, leaves shedding from trees on pavements are often a matter-of-factly sight, so much so that they almost go unnoticed. Back home in our kitchens, vegetable peels are nothing more than trash that we instantly discard in our bins. Old music cassettes tapes, coins and computer spares in storage drawers gather dust for years before getting dumped into landfills. But here’s someone who finds an extraordinary purpose in what we usually consider ordinary. Jagadish C has a discerning eye to see endless possibilities in every little piece of tatter or foliage that comes his way. For this Bangalore-based artist, the leaves on the pavements, peels of vegetables discarded on kitchen counter and other nondescript scrap lying abandoned are exceptional cusps of creativity. Once Jagadish lays his eyes on any of these, the next you know is a piece of incredible art is all set to emerge from his Arali Kale, Jaggusays Creative Works but not before days of labour of love. For more than a decade now, the artist has been designing and upcycling unique décor and utility items from the very scrap.
Repurposing Trash into Bespoke Designs
His handmade lampshades adorned with heart-shaped peepul leaves are remarkably crafted with innovative designs. One glance at his stunning collection of loofah lampshades makes you rethink lighting up for festivities with eco-friendly and exquisite objet d’art. From terrarium and wall hangings to coasters and jewellery, Jagadish’s expertise in transforming trash into treasure is truly inimitable. Each piece is made to order with bespoke materials that are collected by him and also couriered to him by his very own friends and customers!
The artist painstakingly soaks and air dries the materials before using natural dyes made of tea and coffee to colour them. This elaborate process goes on for months before the materials are ready to be repurposed into a variety of items that can be used for décor, gifting and as memorabilia or collectibles.
Jagadish began taking interest in recycling waste since his growing years. “I would make small model buildings out of cigarette packs and match boxes in my childhood. And that’s where it all began,” says the artist. In fact, ingenuity with peepul leaves runs in his family as his grandfather used to make Chamundeshwari idols with them.
Beyond Buying & Selling – Finding Support in Customers who Value Sustainable Handmade Crafts
Jagadish immensely applauds handicraft forums, including A Hundred Hands, an acclaimed Bangalore-based NGO dedicated to reviving and supporting handmade crafts and empowering artisans to become self-sufficient. He has been a member of the collective ever since its inception and has been displaying his collections at the festivals of handmade held by them in the city frequently. He commends the founders, the visionary sisters, Mala Dhawan and Sonia Dhawan for providing an accessible platform to the artists to sell their artworks but more importantly to connect with the right kind of patrons, who sincerely value and appreciate handmade craft.
The man who prefers to let his work do the talking also credits his family for wholeheartedly supporting his endeavours at Arali Kale, Jaggusays Creative Works. Art connoisseurs visit frequently the place to experience the entire process of upcycling hands-on. Today, he has a customer base of almost 25,000 and is completely humbled for the trust they bestow in him and his inventive skills. In fact, Jagadish’s customers, spanning across professions, are not mere buyers but active participants in the upcycling process as they collect and courier him discarded materials that they are confident will be repurposed into something extraordinary. Well, this is one sensible example of taking upcycling to the next level and also of making the end-customer a stakeholder in sustainable consumerism.
Click the social media handle below to contact the artist.
